System for Handling of Liquids

ABSTRACT

A device for storing and delivering liquids comprising a watertight bag having at least one opening and a delivery system operatively connected to said opening; the device further comprises a first and second stiff surfaces connected by flexible flanks. The delivery system comprises a connection locking device for connecting the fluid-carrying pipes and fitting system, which comprises a spigot inserted in the collar of a hose, an external compression ring positioned onto the portion of the collar which is covering the spigot and a conical threaded sleeve locking said external compression ring onto said portion of the collar covering the spigot.

The present invention relates to a device and a system for handlingliquids, in particular to a device for storing, handling and deliveringliquid; more in particular the present invention relates to a device forstoring, handling and delivering drinkable liquid to a user.

When handling, storing or transporting liquids, it is important to havea container easy to handle. This condition is generally fulfilled whenthe container has a relatively stable shape. For this reason, rigidcontainers are normally used for storing and transporting liquid. Arigid container has a stable shape, in fact a constant shape. However, arigid container has a number of drawbacks; for instance the volumeoccupied is always the same, independently from the rate of filling ofthe container itself. Also, when not filled completely, the presence ofair inside the container and the possibility for the liquid of movinginside it, bring about undesired “gurgling” and other noises.

If used for drinking, a way of transporting the liquid to the mouth isalso needed. In general, for use in the field or during sports, a hosewith a good connection mechanism is needed. Previously describedcontainers for liquids involve a great deal of piping and fittings,which need to be functioning well and be watertight over a wide range oftemperatures, typically form −40C to +60C, and under extreme conditions.A simple hose pushed on a spigot generally do guarantee properfunctioning over such a temperature range. Higher temperatures willcause hose expansion, and the connection will not be tight anymore; asan extreme consequence, the hose may even drop off the spigot.Consequences of losing water reserves may be dramatic in extremeconditions, for instance for a soldier in the desert. Equipment may alsobe damaged by water, and so on.

Several kinds of solutions have been explored in order to solve, or atleast minimize, the above-mentioned problems. Some proposed solutionsinvolve profiled and improved spigots, such as in EP 0 848 201 B toHansel. All devices and solutions described in such patent tend toachieve a secure connection at stable temperature, but not when hightemperatures hit.

Some other solutions involve a clamp to secure the hose on the spigot.For instance, this is the case described in EP443681 A2 to Bellazzi &al. This solution is simple, robust, stable, and watertight. Howeversuch clamps are sometimes difficult to remove, especially during coldweather and when the user is wearing gloves. Also the clamp may beeasily lost, for instance in deep snow.

Other solutions involve a combination of profiled spigots and simplelocking elements, such as GB 1310367 to Bailey and U.S. Pat. No.5,772,262 to Dupont. However, in general, such solutions tend not toaccept numerous connections/disconnections, if at all, and quickly startmalfunctioning and losing tightness.

Still other solutions involve a combination of profiled spigots andseveral locking elements, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,199 to Hozelock,so as to achieve a click-and-lock or disarm-and-unlock mechanisms. Thissolution is very practical when connecting again and again sameelements, but is demanding when substituting pipe and fittings elements.There are many spare parts, and thus more risks to break, lose or beshort of some of them.

Also refilling the container may be a problem for the existing liquidstoring bags, which in most cases have to be taken out from theircontained, in order to be refilled. For instance, the so called Camelbakbags, typically used when training outdoors, need to be taken out oftheir container, as a large diameter valve needs to be open. Also, inorder to be refilled, the liquid bag needs to be hold without externalpressure.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a system withboth a liquid container and a good hose connection.

Another object of this invention is to provide a liquid container thatis both easy to manufacture and user-friendly, and that can be easilystored and transported.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container inwhich the “gurgling” of the liquid and other undesired noises arereduced to a minimum level.

Still another object of the present invention relates to a system with arelatively simple hose connection.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system forhandling liquid having a hose connection secure and tight despite hightemperature variations.

Thus, the present invention relates to a device for storing anddelivering liquids comprising a watertight bag having at least oneopening and a delivery system operatively connected to said opening; thedevice according to the invention is characterized in that it comprisesa first and a second stiff surfaces connected by flexible flanks.

Thanks to the presence of the first and second stiff surfaces, thedevice according to the invention has a stable form that makes it easierto design an envelope, a support or a recess that allows handy handling,storing or transporting for device itself. If, for example, thecontainer shape varies in only one dimension when the filling ratevaries, it is practical for packaging in a flexible envelope, such asthose made of textile material.

At the same time, the device according to the invention is characterisedby the fact that the two relatively stiff surfaces are joined byflexible flanks which function as bellows. Thus, the relative positionof the stiff surfaces with respect to each other will depend on thefilling rate. When the container is empty, the opposite sides willtypically be against each other. When there is some liquid in thecontainer, the opposite sides will be separated by a distance which willbe a function of the flexibility of the flanks. Consequently, the volumeof the watertight bag varies in accordance to its filling rate.

This is especially advantageous when the storage volume is scarce, suchas is the case when the liquid is drinking water carried by peopleduring trekking, sports or soldiers in the field. A variable volume isalso favourable to air removal from the container, thus avoiding the“gurgling” during transport, as known from currently used containers.

Further characteristics and advantages will become more clear from thedescription of preferred, but not limiting, embodiments of the deviceaccording to the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a watertight bagused in the device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a watertight bagused in the device according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a watertight bagused in the device according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a watertight bagused in the device according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a watertight bagused in the device according to the invention;

FIG. 6 shows the procedure of filling a watertight bag from another bag;

FIG. 7 shows the procedure of filling a watertight bag from a bottle;

FIG. 8 shows a first particular embodiment of a delivery system used inthe device according to the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a second particular embodiment of a delivery system used inthe device according to the invention;

FIGS. 10 and 11 show in the details the piping system and theconnections to a mouthpiece;

FIG. 12 shows in details a mouthpiece with a possible embodiment of acase for the mouthpiece;

FIG. 13 shows in details a possible embodiment of a valve system used inthe delivery system of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 14 shows in details a possible embodiment of a three-way valve usedin the delivery system of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 15 shows in details a possible embodiment of a connection lockingdevice used in the delivery system of the device according to theinvention.

With reference to the attached figures, the device 1 for storing anddelivering liquids according to the invention comprises a watertight bag2 which has at least one opening 3 serving as inlet/outlet of theliquid. In the embodiments of the attached figures, the bag is providedwith a single opening 3; other solutions, in which the bag is providedwith more than one opening dedicated to the inlet or outlet of theliquid, are also possible. Inlet and outlet of the liquid, i.e. fillingand delivery of the liquid, are carried out through a delivery systemwhich comprises one or more pipes connected to the opening(s).

The device of the invention comprises a first 20 and a second 30 stiffsurfaces which are connected by flexible flanks 40, 50. As explainedabove, thanks to the stiff surfaces, the device according to theinvention has a substantially stable shape; at the same time, theflexible flanks allow expansion of the watertight bag in one direction,thereby adapting the overall volume of the device to the amount of theliquid contained into it. In an alternative embodiment, the two oppositestiff surfaces may be drawn to each other by elastic elements. In bothcases, the stiff surfaces and their connecting flanks or elasticelements will form an envelope with a thickness that will be dependenton the filling rate of the internal bag.

If desirable, distant pieces may be interposed between said first andsecond stiff surfaces, so as to keep the two surfaces at a desired andpredetermined distance, particularly when the watertight bag is empty oralmost empty.

According to a preferred embodiment, the flanks may be such that theexpansion of the watertight bag in its variable dimension will beproportional along the whole extension of the flanks. Preferably, asrepresented in the attached figures, the first and second stiff surfacesare substantially flat and parallel to each other.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the first and second stiff surfaces 20, 30,as well as the flanks 40, 50, are integral made with the watertight bag2. In other words, according to this embodiment, the necessary stiffnessis provided directly by the material used for the fabrication of thebag.

Alternatively, the watertight bag and said first and second stiffsurfaces are separated pieces, said first and second stiff surfacesbeing fixed or loosely attached to said watertight bag. This is the caseof the embodiment represented in FIG. 2, in which the device 10comprises a watertight bag 102 with one opening 103 functioning as aninlet and an outlet. The bag 102 is flexible, and is freely disposed inan envelope made of two opposite stiff surfaces 60, 70 connected to eachother by flexible flanks 80, 90 which function as bellows.

Also in this case, the first and second stiff surfaces 60, 70 can beconnected to each other through one or more elastic elements pullingtogether said surfaces 60, 70.

The stiff surfaces may be made as a single layer, or sheet, of stiffmaterial or may comprise one or more different layers. Accordingly, theresulting stiffness may thus be adapted to different functions,depending on the characteristics of the layers used. In order to improvethe versatility, the layers can be interchangeable, so as to adapt theresulting stiffness according to the needs.

According to a preferred embodiment, said first 20, 60 and second 30, 70stiff surfaces are made of bullet-proof material. In this way, it ispossible, for instance, to combine the drinking water functions withbullet dampening characteristics.

One embodiment of this is a bullet-proof jacket for soldiers or varioussecurity forces, featuring liquid containers held between surfacesstiffened by bullet-proof plates. For an exposed mission, the soldiermay select heavier and more effective bullet-proof ceramic plates, whilehe may prefer lighter ones (for instance Kevlar-based textile) for along distance reconnaissance. The jacket is then designed so as to allowan easy replacement of the plates. One way to achieve this is to havedouble-layered opposite surfaces, each surface forming an envelope wherethe bullet-proof plate may be inserted both outside and inside theliquid containing bag. The liquid container will have additionalprotecting functions by reducing speed, destabilising the bullet (whichmay then present a larger perforating surface) and distributing theshock-wave on a larger surface. For a better protection, it is importantto have a good distribution of water over the whole container, and keepthe air out. This can be done simply by sucking in the air contained inthe bag. As mentioned above, in case the bag went empty, distance piecesto keep the stiff plates apart even if there is no more liquid in thebag may be advantageous.

Such functions are advantageous when implemented as a bullet-proofjacket. They may also be applied to the protection of war fieldvehicles, by inserting such liquid container between external andinternal armoured plates. The liquid container will then have sameabsorbing, destabilising and distributing functions.

According to a particular embodiment, the device of the invention maycomprise a liquid-treatment unit 90. Conveniently, when the device isused as a reservoir for drinking water, said liquid-treatment unit 90 isa drinking water purifying unit.

With reference to FIG. 9, the water-cleaning filter 90 may be insertedon the filling line 520, upstream a three-way valve 510 whichalternatively connects the watertight bag (not shown in FIG. 9) with thefilling line 520 or with the user (through the pipe 51 and themouthpiece 550). In this way it is possible to keep the watertight bagquite clean. This solution allows for example the use of manuallyactuated filters, such as those from Katadyn®.

Another possibility, illustrated in FIG. 8, is to place thewater-cleaning filter 90 downstream the three-way valve 510, on the line51 between the water bag (not shown) and the drinking mouthpiece 550. Insuch case, the watertight bag is filled with dirty water, and this mayfavour unwanted bacterial growth. Chemicals against growths of algae,bacteria etc. . . . may also be used.

In order to be able to totally empty the bag containing the liquid,several solutions are considered.

According to a first embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4, it is possibleto put an insert 150 in place within the watertight bag 122, so as toalways keep a drain on a portion of the bag, preferentially from theopening area 123 to the bottom of the bag 122. This will prevent thesides 20, 30 of the bag to collapse, and isolate the liquid from theaspiration effect. The insert 150 may for instance be a hose of the typewhich is used outside the bag 122, and it may have multiple perforations(as in the case shown in FIG. 4) to further improve draining. However,all elongated non-perforating insert with a thick section can be used.

Another solution, illustrated in FIG. 5, is to force such drainingchannel to the sides of the bag thanks to reinforcing strip on theside(s), using for instance the solution described in U.S. Pat. No.4,893,731 to Richter. In this case, a typical watertight bag 132 has aprofile 45 on the sides 20, 30 in order to be able to pump or suck outall the liquid through the opening 133. The profile is, for instance,made of grooves aligned differently on each side of the bag 132, andpresenting a 90 degrees angle.

The watertight bag, when empty, can either be refilled, or the liquidbag replaced. If the bag is to be replaced, easy replacement handlingcan be designed. An envelope-type structure for the watertight bag asdescribed above will for example allow the following sequence: close anddisconnect piping connections, lift the cover of the envelope ifexisting, extract the empty bag, replace it with the new full one,install and connect the piping.

If the bag is to be refilled, there are many solutions, several of whichare described here.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the watertight bag 11 can typically befilled from a similar bag 160, a bottle 150 or a water tank by using astandard rubber pipe connection. There must be a level differencebetween filling bag 160, bottle 150 or tank and the filled bag 11, so asto create the head necessary to generate enough filling flow. As analternative to give extra head, filling bag 160 or bottle 150 can bepressed, for example under the arm or in the hand.

Alternatively, the watertight bag may also be filled from the water tapof a pressurised drinking water piping. In such case, a pressure reducermay help smoothing the operation.

To make filling operations effective, it is important to prevent aircoming in the flow. This is easily achieved by putting filling units ina “head-down” position, so the air-liquid interface keeps above the tap.It is also advisable to remove all air trapped in the filled bag by forexample sucking in air from the bag with the mouthpiece.

Experience on prototype showed a 3 liters bag filled with water inapproximately 2 minutes with a 0.1 bar head. The typical volume forliquid bags in an outdoor application is between 1 and 3 liters, but anyother volume can be considered.

The present invention is particularly meant to allow filling while thewatertight bag is in place. This is not the case with existingcontainers for liquids, such as the Camelbak ones used typically whentraining outdoors. To allow filling, Camelbak bags need to be taken outof their container, as a large diameter valve needs to be open. Then, inorder to be refilled, the liquid bag needs to be hold without externalpressure. The device according to the invention can be refilled evenwhen submitted to external pressure: the filling container need only bedispensing at slight extra head (0.1 or 0.2 bar).

When used to carry water for outdoor activities, the device of thepresent invention allows avoiding gurgle noises by simply sucking in theair present in the bag. Some details on piping solutions are givenhereinafter and in the attached figures.

A standard two-way valve 570, illustrated in details in exploded view inFIG. 13, can be used for filling operations (see FIGS. 6 and 7), or forconnection with a mouthpiece 550 (see FIG. 11) through a spigot 210 or,in general, in all cases in which it is necessary to isolate differentsections of the piping 51 (see FIG. 10). In the latter case, theconnection can be done using a spigot 220 whose feature can be anydepending on the needs.

A three-way valve 510, illustrated in details in FIG. 14, can be usedwhen using a treatment unit 90, such as a drinking water purifyingfilter, to avoid complex connections/disconnections. It can also be usedwhen connecting several bags or containers. In FIG. 14, the three wayvalve 510 is represented in exploded view (510A) and under two differentoperating positions (510B, 510C).

When the device of the invention is used for storing and dispensingdrinkable water, a mouthpiece 550 of elastic material and ergonomiclarger dimensions is normally used. The mouthpiece 550 is advantageouslyprovided with a split in the middle so as not to leak water when unused(the mouthpiece seems closed), but allow drinking when this split isopen by pressing the mouthpiece 550 in the mouth while sucking in fromthe watertight bag. The mouthpiece 550 may need regular washing so as toavoid growth of micro-organisms. This can be done by simply pulling itaway from the spigot 210 (see FIG. 11).

In order to protect it, the mouthpiece 550 may be covered by some sortof rubber cap 580, as illustrated in FIG. 11, or be clipped-in in adedicated case 590, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

In the case where the device this invention is used as a man-bornedrinking water reservoir for soldier, the whole system can easily bekept under the bacteriological/chemical protection dress and hood. Thewater container may typically be borne in jacket or rucksack, and thefeeding pipe to the mouth crosses the mask thanks to specially designedcrossing nipples. Drinking water is neither infected nor polluted.

The watertight bag can be made with different materials; preferably itis made of a material resisting extreme temperature, typically in therange from −40 C to +60° C., such as an elastomer, capable of keepingits flexible properties over the whole temperature range and not subjectto cracks or leaks.

When the device of present invention is applied to carry drinkable wateroutdoor, for instance in a specially designed jacket, there are severaladvantages for the user. In very cold conditions, the drinking line maybe kept within the clothes, for example along the arm with themouthpiece positioned closed to the wrist. The watertight bags may alsobe kept above freezing point if they are covered by some clothes worn bythe user.

In very warm conditions, care should be taken to prevent unwanteddisconnections between the hoses and the fittings. It may have dramaticconsequences on the chances for survival of the user. This is the objectof a locking ring for secure hose connection.

Previously described container for liquids involves a great deal ofpiping and fittings, which need to be functioning well and be watertightunder extreme temperatures, typically −40C to +60° C. A simple hosepushed on a spigot will generally not do. Higher temperatures will causehose expansion, and the connection will not be tight anymore, and thehose may even drop off the spigot.

It would be advantageous to have a secure connection, which has thefollowing properties. It shall be simple and robust, as we are talkingabout equipment taken typically to outdoors and war activities. It shallrequire as few spare parts as possible, and preferably some also usedfor other equipment as a person cannot move with to heavy spare parts aload. It shall be easy to remove and reassemble numerous times, so as toallow swift and repeated substitution of bags, pipings, or fittings suchas a mouthpiece, or any combination of those, even under stressfulsituation. And it shall be watertight.

Accordingly, with reference in particular to FIG. 15, the presentinvention relates also to a connection locking device 200 forfluid-carrying pipes and fitting system, particularly for use in thedelivery system of a device for storing and delivering liquids aspreviously described.

The connection locking device 200 of the present invention comprises aspigot 201 which is inserted in the collar 501 of a flexible hose 51. Anexternal compression ring 202 is positioned onto the portion of thecollar 501 which is covering the spigot 201 and a conical threadedsleeve 203 is then used for locking said external compression ring 202onto said portion of the collar 501 which covers the spigot 201.

In this way, the threaded conical sleeve 203 which tightens thecompression ring 202 around the end 501 of a hose 51 in which the spigot201 of a pipe 51 or fitting has been introduced. This brings aboutseveral benefits.

The connection is secure: the conical threaded sleeve 203 can be easilyscrewed by hand and compresses the compression ring 202 onto the hose 51in which the spigot 201 has been introduced. As a consequence, the hose51 is well applied on the spigot 201, even if temperature were toincrease dramatically.

Also, only few parts of simple design and construction are involved. Inaddition to the hose 51 carrying the liquid and the spigot 201 of therequired pipe or fitting (typically a valve or a mouth piece), thedevice requires only a compression ring 202 and a conical threadedsleeve 203 made of metal (such as Aluminium) or plastic material.Advantageously, the compression ring 202 is made of a slice of a hose oflarger diameter than the hose 51. Preferably, the sleeve 203 has a roughsurface to make turning easier.

With the device of the present invention, connecting and disconnectingare simple and repeatable operations: they are mostly limited toscrewing and unscrewing the threaded sleeve 203, and connecting ordisconnecting the connection between the hose 51 and the spigot 201. Asa further advantage, the threaded sleeve cannot easily be missed, as itis barred from dropping off the hose 51 by the compression ring 202.

The spigot 201 is preferably as simple as possible: cylindrical andsmooth. However, it could also be rough and with a more complex profile.

The connection locking device of the present invention has been designedto solve in particular locking problems with low pressure connections,typically less than one bar. However, there is no reason to limit itspressure use at that stage.

The device of the present invention has been tested by soldiers in thefield. After many connection/disconnection operations, the connectiontested by soldiers still were tight and secure.

1. A device for storing and delivering liquids comprising a watertightbag having at least one opening and a delivery system operativelyconnected to said opening, characterized in that it comprises a firstand a second stiff surfaces connected by flexible flanks.
 2. The deviceaccording to claim 1, characterised in that said a first and a secondstiff surfaces are substantially parallel.
 3. The device according toclaim 1, characterised in that said first and second stiff surfaces areintegral made with said watertight bag.
 4. The device according to claim1, characterised in that said watertight bag and said first and secondstiff surfaces are separated pieces, said first and second stiffsurfaces being fixed or loosely attached to said watertight bag.
 5. Thedevice according to claim 4, characterised in that said first and secondstiff surfaces are connected by flexible flanks.
 6. The device accordingto claim 4, characterised in that said first and second stiff surfacesare connected to each other through one or more elastic elements pullingtogether said surfaces.
 7. The device according to one or more of theprevious claims, characterised in that distant pieces are interposedbetween said first and second stiff surfaces.
 8. The device according toclaim 1, characterised in that said first and second stiff surfacescomprise one or more stiff layers.
 9. The device according to claim 8,characterised in that said one or more stiff layers are interchangeable.10. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that said firstand second stiff surfaces are made of bullet-pro of material.
 11. Thedevice according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprise aliquid-treatment unit.
 12. The device according to claim 11,characterised in that said liquid-treatment unit is a drinking waterpurifying unit.
 13. The device according to claim 1, characterised inthat said delivery system comprises an insert positioned inside thewatertight bag and extending through said opening.
 14. The deviceaccording to claim 13, characterised in that said insert has multipleperforations.
 15. The device according to claim 1, characterised in thatsaid delivery system comprises a flexible hose.
 16. The device accordingto claim 1, characterised in that said watertight bag comprises one ormore profiled strip (45) on the outside.
 17. A connection locking devicefor fluid-carrying pipes and fitting system, characterized in that itcomprises a spigot inserted in the collar of a hose, an externalcompression ring positioned onto the portion of the collar which iscovering the spigot and a conical threaded sleeve locking said externalcompression ring onto said portion of the collar covering the spigot.18. A connection locking device according to claim 17, characterized inthat the compression ring is made of the same material as the hose. 19.The device according to claim 1, characterised in that said deliverysystem comprise a connection locking device comprises a spigot insertedin the collar of a hose, an external compression ring positioned ontothe portion of the collar which is covering the spigot and a conicalthreaded sleeve locking said external compression ring onto said portionof the collar covering the spigot.
 20. The device according to claim 2,characterised in that said first and second stiff surfaces are integralmade with said watertight bag.